Electrical contact panel assembly



Aug. 10, 1965 J. a. HATFIELD ETAL 3,200,362

ELECTRICAL CONTACT PANEL ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 5, 1962 INVENTOR Jouu G. Hmnuo BY R aem GTY UM Aug. 10, 1965 J. a. HATFIELD ETAL 3,

ELECTRICAL CONTACT PANEL ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 5, 1962 United States Patent Office 32%,352 Patented Aug. 19, 15

3 2% 362 arncrnrcar coNr/icr PANEL ASSEMBLY John G. Hatfield, Camp Hiil, and Robert G. Trump, Hershey, Pa., assignors to AME Incorporated, Harrisburg,

Filed Dec. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 242,391 3 Claims. (Cl. 339l.8)

The present invention relates to an improved panel assembly of the type used to program electrical circuit paths in computers or other oflice equipment.

A specialized connecting or switching device of the type shown in US. Patent No. 2,927,295 to Sitz has been developed to provide electrical interconnections between components of elctronic systems. clude a metal frame assembly which rigidly mounts a permanent or fixed board of insulating material containing flexible contact springs which are in turn connected to the internal wiring of the various components to be connected.

Included within the frame assembly is a hinged bracket capable of accepting and securing a removable program patchboard also of insulating material. The removable patchboard is in turn capable of receiving and holding pin assemblies extending therethrough to form on one side contact assemblies engaging the contact springs of the fixed board and on the other side conductive paths or patchcords connected to other pin assemblies to form distinct electrical paths. Upon operation of the frame assembly the patchboard is driven inwardly and then cammed upwardly through a particular motion with respect to the fixed board so that the pin members engage and bear against the contact springs in an exact mating relationship for good electrical contact; this operation resulting in pairs or groups of contact springs being interconnected and thereby in various system components being interconnected.

Assemblies of the type above described are programmed by a particular pattern of patchcords interconnecting pin assemblies inserted in the patchboard; distinct programs being accomplished by different patterns of pin as-' semblies. In certain computer installations wherein the particular program is infrequently altered, a single movable patchboard is used which may be withdrawn and reprogrammed by manually changing the patchboard and pin assembly positions in accordance with program instructions. In other installations wherein changes in programming must be frequently accomplished or where a large number of different programs must be accommodated with dispatch, the usual practice is to provide a preset patchboard for each program. In the latter instance a given plugboard frame assembly might be supplied with or different patchboards each having a distinct pattern of patchcords interconnecting different pin assemblies. In either instance, a certain number of the patchcords, usually half, constitute component interconnections which are fixed and are common to each of the different programs and patchcord programs employed, the remainder of the patchcords being changed to define ditferent programs. As a result of this, a person responsible for programming must, in the case of the use of a single patchboard, carefully distinguish between the patchcords which are fixed and those which are to be changed from program to program. In situations wherein multiple boards are used, the portion of the board and the additional patchcords constituting the fixed part of each program represents a structural redundance.

Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide a light-weight compact patchboard panel assembly divided into fixed and removable sections to accommodate fixed and non-fixed portions of different programs.

Such units usually in- 1 It is a further object of invention to provide a patchboard panel assembly of fixed and movable panels which simplifies programming procedure.

It is another object of invention to provide a patchboard assembly capable of accommodating a plurality of panels each containing the distinctive portions of different programs.

It is still another object of invention to provide a patchboard panel assembly of fixed and movable panels capable of use in adverse environment.

It is another object of invention to provide an improved patchboard assembly reducing the cost, weight and space of patchbo-ards. Still another object of invention features a novel locking means for simplifying movable panel operation.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention; it is to be understood, however, that this embodiment is not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention but is given for purposes of illustration in order that others skilled in the art may fully understand the invention and the principles thereof and the manner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify it in various forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of the assembly of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1 showing one of the panels removed;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevation taken along lines 3--3 of FIGURE 1 showing a locking mechanism for the assembly shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a diiferent embodiment of the assembly of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a view taken along the lines 55 of FIGURES 4 and 6 showing the assembly locking mechanism for the assembly of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a View taken along the lines 6-6 of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 7 is a schematic diagram included to explain the operational advantages of the structure of the invention.

Referring generally to the drawings there is shown a movable patchboard assembly 10 adapted to be inserted within the frame assembly of a plugboard and thereafter cammed upwardly to cause pin assemblies carried in the board to engage spring assemblies and close selective circuit paths to accomplish a given computer program in the manner shown and described in the aforementioned patent to Sitz. Assembly 19 includes separate panel members 12 and 18 adapted to accommodate the fixed and non-fixed portions of a computer program respectively. In other words, for a given computer or system program having, for example, ten distinct programs, a single panel 12 would be utilized to accommodate pin assemblies forming the portions of each distinctive program which remain the same or are common to all pro grams and ten panels such as 18 would be utilized to accommodate pin assemblies forming the non-fixed portions for each of the ten programs. Considering that the prior art approach for a similar program would include 10 patchboards of the size and capability of assembly 10, it will be realized thaat the present invention results in a saving of substantially one-half over the prior art with respect to panel weight, space occupied and cost. Additionally, since the pin assemblies and patchcords utilized for the fixed panel remain the same for each of the ten programs there is a saving of substantially half tacts of the frame.

' interconnected by a center channel 50, each formed of relatively heavy aluminum or stainless steel stock suitably milled to the configuration shown.

Assembly further includes panel members 12 and 13 of molded phenolic resin or diallyl phthalate suitably apertured as indicated by numerals 14 and 29 respectively to receive and support pin assemblies such as 70 interconnected by patchcords '72. In use the assembly 10 is oriented with respect to a plugboard frame such that the pin portion of the pin assemblies 70 force the spring con- The camming operation results in closure of pin portions with spring contacts occurring through forces applied to the bottom face of channel 35.

Fixed panel 12 is secured within one part of the frame assembly by means of screws such as 16 threaded through the panel and into the side channels and 35. As in- (heated in FIGURE 1 the channel members 25 and include upper and lower flanges defining an interior channel adapted to receive and hold the panel members with respect to transverse movement relative to the frame assembly. This is more clearly shown in FIGURE 3 with respect to channel 25 which includes flanges 32 and 34 defining channel 36 into which is fitted panel 18. Panel 18 is, as above indicated, adapted to slide along such channel for removal and insertion within the frame member. Panel 12 is restricted from such movement by screws 16 and additionally serves to rigidify the assembly by adding its strength to that of cross member 50. The interior edges of panels 12 and 18 are adapted to fit within member 50 to further strengthen the assembly with respect to warping or bending moments. This is shown more clearly in FIGURE 1 in the sectioned portion showing member 50 as overlying panel 18. With panel 18 removed and panel 12 secured the assembly 10 may be considered as a structural entity with the channels 25 and 35 joined by cross member 50 attached thereto by means of screws such as 60 through the panel members as shown in FIGURE 1 and by panel member 12 joined to channels 25 and 35 by screws 16.

Attached to upper channel member 25 is a handle member 42 including cross member 44 and arms 46 formed of aluminum or stainless steel stock which may be either welded or screwed together and to the frame member 25. Handle 42 serves to provide means for withdrawing or inserting assembly 10 from a plugboard frame assembly and further adds to the strength of the assembly in resisting longitudinal bending moments of member 25.

Referring further to FIGURES 1 and 2 movable panel 18 may be inserted into the frame assembly or withdrawn therefrom and replaced by a panel not shown of similar structure having differently positioned pin assemblles 1nserted therein to form a different program. Alternatively, the movable panel member 18 may be withdrawn and reprogrammed by repositioning the existing pin assemblies and thereafter reinserted in the assembly 10 which in turn may be reinserted in the plugboard frame assembly. Included as an integral part of panel member 18 is a handle 22 and rail members 24 imbedded within the panel along three sides thereof. Rail members 24 serve to support the panel member during removal or insertion of pin assemblies and during storage of auxiliary panels. shown in FIGURE 3, the rail members 24 extend out from panel 18 a distance greater than length of the inserted pin assemblies 70. Because of this the panel may be rested upon rails 24 without the tips of the pin assemblies being misaligned or contaminated through contact with any surface upon which the panel is rested. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3, rails 24 serve the additional function of forming panel locking means. Channels 25 and 35 are each drilled and tapped at their ends to receive a screw such as 80 having an end portion 82 adapted to co-act with the end of the rail members 24 and hold panel 13 against outward movement relative to the channel members. By rotating screws 80 the end portions 82 may be withdrawn from the path of travel of members 24 to permit withdrawal or insertion of panel 18. The centerline of each screw 80 when inserted in the channel members should be such that the end portions 82 tend to force rails 24 and, thereby, panel 18 in against panel 12. This operation serves to prevent even slight movements of panel 18 responsive to the forces imparted by deflected contact springs acting against panel pin assemblies.

FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 show a further embodiment of the assembly of the invention and a further embodiment of the panel locking means for the assembly of the invention. This further embodiment may be utilized with plugboard frame assemblies wherein the depth of the patchboard is less critical or in cases wherein the general dimensions of the patchboard demand that the boards be adjacent.

The use and function of the assembly shown in FIG- URE 4 is identical to that shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 and there'is considerable structural similarity. Thus, the assembly 81 includes an H shaped frame comprised of channeled membrs 92 and 94 interconnected by a central support member 102 adapted to contain and support a fixed panel 83 and movable panel 88. Each of the channels is comprised of milled metal bar members having flanges such as 93 and 96 defining an interior channel 98 as shown with respect to channel member 94. These channels further include a portion 100 integral with the portion forming flange 96. Centrally disposed between the length of each channel member is a cross member 102 secured to the exterior flange such as 100 by screws such as 104 threaded through the channel members. The arrangement of the channel members 92 and 94 is such that the panel members 83 and 88 in their operative position engage along one side and overlie cross member 102. As in the embodiment heretofore described there is a handle member rigidly secured to upper channel 92 formed of a cross bar 187 and arms 108 welded or screwed thereto. The fixed panel 83 is secured to the 'channels 92 and 94 through screw members inserted through the channel flanges as indicated by numeral 86. The fixed panel 83 further includes apertures such as 84 adapted to receive pin assemblies of the type heretofore described. Handles such as 85 are provided on opposite edges of the panels to enable insertion and withdrawal during initial installation and in the event such is necessary in the re-use of the assembly with other electronic systems.

Movable panel 88 similarly includes apertures such as 91) adapted to receive pin assemblies of the type heretofore described.

Turning now to FIGURES 5 and 6 the locking member utilized with the embodiment shown in FIGURE 4 is formed by a plug member identical to patchcord pin assembly 70 having an upper portion 112 adapted to be gripped for manipulation of the locking mechanism and a lower portion 114 including spring members 115 adapted to engage portions 116 of the rail member 93 through an aperture 117 therein. The construction and operation of member 112 may be had from US. Patent No. 3,134,633,

granted May 26, 1964 to J. Hatfield. Further included is a metal clip member 120 adapted to be held by locking member 112 so that fingers 122 thereof engage and nest within corner apertures 84 and 99 of each edge of the the body of portion 114. With the locking member 112 inserted, withdrawal or movement of the movable panel relative to the fixed panel is prevented, the movable panel being held by the clip member 120. It is contemplated that locking member 112 may be duplicated at the top of the board or may be used as shown in FIGURE 4.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, there is shown an important aspect common to either of the embodiments of the invention described above. The schematic diagram of FIGURE 7 depicts the structure resulting from the fixed board being attached to the channel members C which are interconnected by the cross member M. This structural unit forms a relatively rigid assembly having cantilevered arms A formed by the free ends of channels C capable of slight movements as indicated by the dotted lines. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, patchboard panels may be inserted so as to close contact paths in a patchboard and a plugboard for long periods of time, as for example, six months or a year. Since the movable board is held under considerable pressure defined by the channel member C, it is possible for a superficial bonding to develop between the board members which are of thermoplastic and the metal members. The slight movements of the portions of channel C permitted by the arrangement of the invention make it possible to free the movable panel for withdrawal much more easily than would be the case if the ends of the channel members were rigidly held by an integral cross piece. Similarly the slight movements indicated facilitate insertion of the movable panel.

While the embodiments shown and described above have been directed to an assembly having a single movable panel and a single fixed panel arranged in a side by side relationship it is fully contemplated that other arrangements could be made employing the teachings of the invention wherein a number of movable panels or a number of fixed panels might be incorporated in the same panel board assembly. For example, with respect to the assembly shown in FIGURE 1, the fixed panel might be approximately half as large as that shown and centrally disposed between the channel members with two cross members such as St bordering the fixed panel and with movable panels arranged on either side of the fixed panel. Alternatively, the movable panel shown could be divided into two smaller movable panels to be inserted and locked within the channel members. The use of more than one movable panel would permit various combinations resulting in a further saving in panel square footage, pin assembly and patchcord material.

Changes in construction will occur to those skilled in the art and various apparently diiferent modifications and embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only.

We claim:

1. An improved panel assembly of the type utilized with plugboard devices adapted to program electrical circuit connections including in combination, a first panel of a hard insulating material and of a thickness relative to its length to form a rigid structure, a matrix of apertures disposed transverse to the major plane thereof adapted to receive contact pin assemblies interconnected to form common portions of a plurality of computer programs and at least a second panel of a hard insulating material and of a thickness relative to its length to form a rigid structure, a matrix of apertures disposed transverse to the major plane thereof adapted to receive pin assemblies interconnected to form distinct portions of the said plurality of computer programs; means comprised of relatively rigid metallic beam members fixedly secured to said first panel forming a unitary assembly therewith, at least two of said beam members being disposed in spaced parallel relationship and including interior channels as an integral portion adapted to slidably receive and secure said second panel in a planar relationship relative to said first panel, and means engaging a portion of at least one of said beam members adapted to engage and lock said second panel within said channels.

2. A patchboard panel assembly including a fixed panel and a movable panel, each being of a rigid insulating material of a thickness resisting bending movements about the length thereof and each provided with a number of apertures capable of receiving and securing interconnected pairs of pin assemblies in placements defining distinct electronic program connections, a pair of rail members of a relatively rigid metallic construction fixedly secured to said fixed panel to form a unitary assembly therewith, the said rail members including interior channels therein capable of supporting and retaining the said movable panel in the plane of said fixed panel and adjacent thereto, the said rail members forming cantilever arm sections capable of slight movements to facilitate insertion or withdrawal of said movable panel in a sliding relationship within said channels and locking means adapted to bear against a portion of said movable panel to hold such in position within said rail members.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the said locking means includes a bifurcated spring clip adapted to fit within the apertures of said movable panel and be clamped to said rail members to accomplish the locking function thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,594,737 4/52 Cunningham 339-18 3,133,775 5/64 Plaxa 339-18 FOREIGN PATENTS 905,618 9/62 Great Britain.

JOSEPH D. SEERS, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN IMPROVED PANEL ASSEMBLY OF THE TYPE UTILIZED WITH PLUGBOARD DEVICES ADAPTED TO PROGRAM ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONNECTIONS INCLUDING IN COMBINATION, A FIRST PANEL OF A HARD INSULATING MATERIAL AND OF A THICKNESS RELATIVE TO ITS LENGTH TO FORM A RIGID STRUCTURE, A MATRIX OF APERTURES DISPOSED TRANSVERSE TO THE MAJOR PLANE THEREOF ADAPTED TO RECEIVE CONTACT PIN ASSEMBLIES INTERCONNECTED TO FORM COMMON PORTIONS OF A PLURLAITY OF COMPUTER PROGRAMS AND AT LEAST A SECOND PANEL OF A HARD INSULATING MATERIAL AND OF A THICKNESS RELATIVE TO ITS LENGTH TO FORM A RIGID STRUCTURE, A MATRIX OF APERTURES DISPOSED TRANSVERSE TO THE MAJOR PLANE THEREOF ADAPTED TO RECEIVE PIN ASSEMBLIES INTERCONNECTED TO FORM DISTINCT PORTIONS OF THE SAID PLURALITY OF COMPUTER PROGRAMS; MEANS COMPRISED OF RELATIVELY RIGID METALLIC BEAM MEMBERS FIXEDLY SECURED TO SAID FIRST PANEL FORMING A UNITARY ASSEMBLY THEREWITH, AT LEAST TWO OF SAID BEAM MEMBERS BEING DISPOSED IN SPACED PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP AND INCLUDING INTERIOR CHANNELS AS AN INTEGRAL PORTION ADAPTED TO SLIDABLY RECEIVE AND SECURE SAID SECOND PANEL IN A PLANAR RELATIONSHIP RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST PANEL, AND MEANS ENGAGING A PORTION OF AT LEAST ONE OF SAID BEAM MEMBERS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AND LOCK SAID SECOND PANEL WITHIN SAID CHANNELS. 